Thursday, December 25, 2008

Luke 2:15-16, "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

The shepherds had it right – there was no time to waste. An event that causes the angels to rejoice is certainly something they should be urgent about. So the shepherds quickly made their way to the likely place a newborn Lamb would be seen – a manger, and it was there they saw "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). From Bethlehem the shepherds went out telling everyone within earshot this wonderful news of the Saviour – "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." (Luke 2:18). The reaction from those they told was no different than people’s reaction today, "And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:17-18). There was curiosity, bewilderment, and skepticism, but no haste to see what they were just told about. I imagine the shepherds probably wondered why nobody else was in a hurry to see this child – don’t they understand how important He is? Today’s CHRISTmas Blog reminds us of that time when the conviction of the Holy Spirit caused us to fear our condition and hurriedly run to the Savior for forgiveness and redemption. But so few today are urgent about anything spiritual. Ours is a non-stop, fast paced society when it comes to materialism and pleasures though. What about you this CHRISTmas season? Have you made haste to do your shopping and to deck your halls with boughs of holly, but have not had anytime to spend with the Saviour? We know the Lord is returning soon – so soon in fact that this may be our last CHRISTmas on earth. So don’t be slow in spending time with Him. If you are not saved, trust Christ quickly before it is too late.